At Snap Partner Summit 2024, Snapchat also unveiled its new 5th-generation Spectacles. These are see-through AR glasses that extend the Snapchat experience into three dimensions. Unlike previous models, this new AR glasses are designed to function independently without needing constant smartphone connectivity.
Spectacles weigh just 226 grams even if it seems bulky. It offers a 46-degree field of view, that’s better than 26.3 degrees in the previous version. The lenses of the glass also auto-tint when you are looking at direct sunlight. Users can interact with AR content using natural hand gestures. So, the experience becomes more intuitive and engaging.
These glasses are powered by a pair of Snapdragon processors located in each temple. The company has also taken care of heat dissipation with titanium vapor chambers. There are two liquid crystal and silicon-based projectors on each side of the frame and two infrared sensors to track hand movements to control the glasses.
There are stereo speakers for spatial audio and a 6 microphone array for audio input. It also features background suppression and echo cancellation. The device also provides up to 45 minutes of continuous use on a single charge.
The company has also made a new operating system for this new hardware. SnapOS has been built on top of the Android kernel and promises to streamline development for the platform. It offers intuitive interaction using hand gestures and voice commands.
Snap has also partnered with several companies to create new AR experiences. For example, ILM Immersive will bring new Star Wars-themed experiences. LEGO Group will launch an interactive AR game, BRICKTACULAR that uses hand and voice control to build LEGO sets in AR. Niantic is also bringing experiences like Peridot and Scaniverse to Spectacles.
Spectacles are mainly for developers. So, the company has adopted a hardware-as-a-service approach. It will charge developers $99 a month, but there would be a one-year commitment period.
